The Oral Health Quality of Life for Seniors in Residential Facilities who Have Direct Access to Care as Compared to Those Without Access

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Persistent link to this item

Statistics
View Statistics

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Title

The Oral Health Quality of Life for Seniors in Residential Facilities who Have Direct Access to Care as Compared to Those Without Access

Published Date

2018-05

Publisher

Type

Thesis or Dissertation

Abstract

Introduction: Many residents of senior residential facilities face obstacles to good oral health as most are medically compromised and cannot provide adequate self-care. Consequently, the oral health status of this population is generally poor and has a negative impact on quality of life. The purpose of this study was to test whether there is a perceived difference in oral health and comfort when residents in long-term care facilities receive direct access to a dental cleaning compared to facilities who brush and floss only. Objective: The purpose of the study was to compare the Oral Health Impact Profile-5(OHIP-5) between treatment and control groups in senior long term care facilities. Methods: The study design was quasi-experimental. The study took place in two senior residential facilities in Sheridan, Wyoming. Fifteen residents from each facility comprised the study sample (n=30). The treatment group received a dental cleaning and oral hygiene education and the control group received brushing, flossing, and oral hygiene education. There were two interventions, two months apart. A pre/test was conducted using the 5 question Oral Health Impact Profile, shortened version. Post test was conducted one month after the last intervention. Results: Fifteen residents from the treatment facility and the control facility comprised the study sample (n=30). The treatment group was comprised of 13% male subjects and 87% female subjects with an average age of 85. The control group had 40% male subjects and 60% female subjects with and average age of 76. The percent of subjects who do not receive regular dental care at a private dentist was 53% of the treatment group and 40% of the control group. Active caries and chronic periodontitis were also present in both groups; caries were detected in 67% of the subjects in the control group and 87% in the treatment group. Results revealed a significant difference in pre/post OHIP-5 scores in the treatment group (p=0.0222). The control group had improved scores but it was not significant (p=0.5331). The significant univariate association was between caries and OHIP-5 scores (p=0.0082). Conclusion: This study demonstrated a significant difference in the perception of oral health quality of life when seniors received a dental cleaning where they reside. Findings support existing knowledge and evidence that oral health services improve the functional status and quality of life of senior adults living in long-term care facilities.

Description

University of Minnesota M.S. thesis. May 2018. Major: Dentistry. Advisor: Sheila Riggs. 1 computer file (PDF); iii, 44 pages.

Related to

Replaces

License

Series/Report Number

Funding information

Isbn identifier

Doi identifier

Previously Published Citation

Suggested citation

Golden, Jennafer. (2018). The Oral Health Quality of Life for Seniors in Residential Facilities who Have Direct Access to Care as Compared to Those Without Access. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/259536.

Content distributed via the University Digital Conservancy may be subject to additional license and use restrictions applied by the depositor. By using these files, users agree to the Terms of Use. Materials in the UDC may contain content that is disturbing and/or harmful. For more information, please see our statement on harmful content in digital repositories.